Who Are The Members of the Blue Star Mothers?

Membership in the Blue Star Mothers consists of three different types:

Blue Star Mother -- A Mother or Step Mother (since the child was of the age of thirteen) who has a son or daughter who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States. Services included are the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve Units, and the Merchant Marines. Gold Star Mothers are also more than welcome to join.

Blue Star Dad -- A Father or Step Father (since the child was of the age of thirteen) who has a son or daughter who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States. Services included are the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve Units, and the Merchant Marines.

Associate Member -- A spouse, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friend of someone who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States. Services included are the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve Units, and the Merchant Marines.

How Do I Join?

To join the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers, print the application below and mail it with your $20.00 check for your annual dues if you are a mom (there are no dues for Dads or Associates). Our Chapter also gives 'honor membership' to all Gold Star Mothers who would like to join; thus, please do not include dues with your membership application if you are a Gold Star Mother.

Mark your application with "Connecticut Blue Star Mothers", "CT - Chapter One" and 'join'. Any checks should be made out to 'Connecticut Blue Star Mothers'.

PLEASE REMEMBER -- National requires annual registration. They consider you a member of the BSMoA ONLY FOR THE YEAR/S FOR WHICH YOU ARE REGISTERED AND YOUR DUES ARE PAID. Thus, membership in the CT BSM also requires annual membership applications (marked as 'renewal') and the twenty dollar dues per year, as we must submit and report all memberships and finances annually to the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

Our 'year' runs from September 1 through August 31. Please submit your annual application as early as possible (very early September -- or even in August, if possible). Our Chapter must complete our roster and have all records and dues to National by September 25th of each year.

If you join the organization during the months of June, July, or August, your $20.00 registration will also apply to the following year. We request, however, that you fill out a membership application for both the year you are joining when you join -- AND -- an application for the the following year when September arrives (as we must give copies to National for the present year).

if you are applying as a Blue Star Mom, include in the envelope with your application your membership dues -- send a check or a money order, do not send cash

if you are applying as a Blue Star Dad, Associate Member, or Gold Star Mother, membership is free

What is the financial cost of being a Blue Star Mother?

The cost for membership in Blue Star Mothers is $20.00 (twenty dollars) annually. Dues are paid at the time that you join (sent along with your application). After that, membership dues are collected once a year with September being the membership renewal month. (We must complete roster, give applications, and submit dues to National by September 25 each year - for that year.

There are also pins for the moms, the dads, and the associates that are members of Blue Star Mothers of America. If you would like a membership pin, please visit the National website (www.BlueStarMothers.org) to place your order.

If you are a Gold Star Family Member, the Connecticut Blue Star Mothers invites you to be an honorary member. We will still need you to fill out a membership application each year, but there are no dues in our Chapter for Gold Star Mothers. If you are a member of the Blue Star Mothers of America you may order your pin and other materials at the online store www.BlueStarMothers.org All Gold Star family members are also entitled to thier Gold Star pins. If you did not receive yours or if you would like additional pins, please see Rev. Lin and she will give you an application. Gold Star pins are without cost to Gold Star family members.

UPDATE ~ WHO CAN JOIN BSMoA ~ THE BLUE STAR MOTHERS BILL WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD ON HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW!

UNITED STATES SENATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, December 13, 2011Blue Star Mothers Bill Signed Into Law

Will Help More Mothers of Military Service Members Join Support and Service Organization

Washington, DC – The President today signed into law a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) in the Senate and Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) in the House to expand membership in Blue Star Mothers of America to more mothers of current or former military service members.

Blue Star Mothers of America is a congressionally-chartered, non-political veterans service organization that supports mothers of service members, promotes patriotism and democracy, and organizes service projects to support the troops.

“Mothers and families of our service members make tremendous sacrifice at home when their sons, daughters, sisters and brothers are deployed,” said Bennet. “Blue Star Mothers is a fantastic way for mothers and families to better support each other and their serving family members. This new law will ensure Blue Star Mothers is open to all types of mothers whose sons and daughters have served in recent conflicts.”

“As a military spouse and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I deeply appreciate the support that our Blue Star Mothers provide not only to our men and women in uniform, but to their families,” said Senator Ayotte. “I am pleased that the President has signed this legislation into law, allowing more women to become involved in this patriotic organization and to support America’s brave service members and their families who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and security.”

“It's been an honor to carry this legislation in the House and I am proud to see that it is being signed into law,” said Tipton. “We owe our men and women in uniform a tremendous debt of gratitude, as well as their families. The Blue Star Mothers serve an important support role for our troops and veterans, and I am honored to have played a role in helping their organization grow and provide an even greater impact.”

“The structure of families has evolved drastically since our Charter in 1960 or our original founding in 1942,” said Blue Star Mothers President Robin McCarthy. “We recognize the impact made upon the lives of our service men and women by all those maternal caregivers who have played the role of 'mother' for them. It has been our intention to include and support them all in the membership of Blue Star Mothers of America.”

Last year, the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. voted to update its charter for the 21st century. It expanded membership opportunities for more women who have supported service members in new conflicts and addressed the composition of today’s family. This law updates the Congressional Charter to reflect that vote and is fully endorsed by the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

The law updates the Blue Star Mothers Congressional Charter to:

Include grandmothers, foster mothers, and female legal guardians;

Expand membership to mothers whose children have served more recently, by removing references to specific conflicts; and

The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political organization. We do not support any political candidate nor do we endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization. We are here to support our troops, our veterans, one another, and the cause of patriotism. Linking to our website does not represent an endorsement on the part of Connecticut Blue Star Mothers or Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.